An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson

Once you get past the hyperbole (he's the Mozart of pop, the Orson Welles of rock, the George Gershwin of his generation) and the embarrassing public whining about his physical and emotional abuse as a child--already more than adequately covered in Brian Wilson: A Beach Boy's Tale (VL-3/00), Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (VL-1/96), and Brian Wilson: Imagination (VL-11/00)--this all-star tribute to the heart and soul of the Beach Boys offers up some choice musical nuggets (and clunkers). Highlights of the 20-song set include Paul Simon's gorgeous acoustic guitar reworking of "Surfer Girl"; David Crosby, Carly Simon and Jimmy Webb's rendition of "In My Room"; Vince Gill's solid soprano/falsetto vocals on "The Warmth of the Sun" and "Surf's Up" (the unreleased centerpiece of the never completed Smile); Billy Joel singing "Don't Worry Baby"; Darius Rucker and Matthew Sweet teaming up for "Sail On Sailor"; Heart, Jubilant Sykes and the Boy's Choir of Harlem's bring-down-the-house performance of "Good Vibrations"; and Brian Wilson and guests' crowd-pleasing "Barbara Ann" and "Fun, Fun, Fun." Lowlights include Ricky Martin's just-stopped-in-long-enough-to-uninspiredly-whip-out "California Girls" and "Help Me Rhonda"; Evan and Jaron's (who?) "I Get Around" and Elton John's off-key "God Only Knows." Also included are bubbling interview clips with the artists about the Mozart of pop, the Orson Welles of…well, you know. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, this mostly solid tribute is recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)